Economic policies: Govt urged to consult chambers, stakeholders

PESHAWAR: Members of the business community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa urged the government to make proper consultation with chambers and stakeholders to formulate economic policies and tax reforms.

Businessmen also demanded review on IPPs agreements to overcome the rising energy crisis and control on high electricity tariffs.

The business community sought pragmatic steps for provision of electricity and gas on subsidised rates to the industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

These suggestions and demands were made by president of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Fuad Ishaq while addressing a meeting during a Inland Study Tour of the 34th Senior Management Course Officers of National Institute of Management (NIM) Islamabad here at the chamber house on Thursday.

Undertraining senior officers’ delegation was spearheaded by Directing Staff, NIM Islamabad Muhammad Imran.

The meeting was attended by SCCI vice president Ijaz Khan Afridi, executive member Muhammad Ismail Safi, former president Faiz Muhammad Faizi, former senior vice presidents Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, Imran Khan Mohmand, former vice president Shuja Muhammad, and former executive member Muhammad Aurangzeb and others.

A detailed multimedia presentation was given regarding the chamber history and its objectives to the visiting senior officers.

The SCCI president said bureaucracy has played a pivotal role in framing policies. He, however, called for taking chambers and stakeholders on board before formulation of policies and tax reforms initiatives so that it will enable them to execute them at every level.

Fuad Ishaq while responding to various queries of senior officers stressed it is essential to ensure uninterrupted electricity and gas supply to industries in KP. He called for rationalization in the taxation system through reforms.

KP is self-sufficient and a surplus province in gas production, while total gas production of KP is 550 mmcfds against its total consumption of 196 mmcfds, in which industries only consume 35 mmfcds and 40 mmfcds CNG sector, Ishaq explained.

He said despite the fact that uninterrupted electricity and gas was unavailable to industries in the KP, even though gas is being sold on highest tariffs to consumers of the province, he added.

Under article 158-A of the Constitution of the country, Fuad Ishaq said KP has first right to exploit their natural resources, but it is highly unfortunate that for the last 13 years, not a single gas connection was provided to industries in the province.

Replying to a question regarding illegal trade/smuggling, the SCCI chief said tariffs/duties of 224 items should be brought equal to Afghanistan and Iran to curb the menace of smuggling. He also suggested provision of electricity to industries on wheeling charges.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023